Tom Cruise is back at it + pet hotels and daycares for your furry friends

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

The gov’t was working overtime last week + we have a four-day week ahead of us

Good morning, lovely people, and happy FRIDAY. After what felt like a rollercoaster of a week, we’re very happy to remind you that next week is a shortened workweek, with a long four-day weekend ahead.

REMEMBER- Thursday, 20 July and Sunday, 23 July will be national holidays for the public and private sector to mark the Islamic New Year and Egypt’s Independence Day, according to a cabinet statement. We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for confirmations from the Central Bank of Egypt and the EGX that the same holidays will apply for the banking sector, and the bourse.

It will be the last long weekend until late September when we down tools for the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

☀️THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND- Get ready for a sizzling weekend as temperatures soar to 40°C today, before dropping to a cooler 24°C at night. Saturday promises the same heat with the mercury at 40°C and dipping to 26°C, our favorite weather app tells us.

CALLING ALL PET OWNERS looking to travel and can’t bring your furry friends along: If you’re traveling for the long weekend — as you should — and are a pet owner, chances are you have a real Sophie’s choice on your hands: Limit where you go to place friendly places or scramble to find an accommodation for your pets (or beg the one friend you have to house sit). Naturally, it wouldn’t be much of a vacation if you have to worry about whether your four-legged friend is well taken care of.

Well worry no more, dear reader, this week’s Enterprise Guide has you covered. We bring you our rundown of the most highly rated pet hotels and daycares in Cairo and Sahel, based on pet parents we know and trust.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9:00am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS- It was a momentous week on all fronts, with big milestones reached for the state privatization program, the House approving a batch of bills before going on recess, and the maiden EGX listing of 2023.

PRIVATIZATION WATCH-

#1- A big week for the state privatization program: The government has so far signed agreements worth USD 1.9 bn to sell state-owned assets under its privatization program, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced at a press conference on Tuesday. The proceeds raised from transactions in 2023 come from the sale of stakes in five companies, which brought in some USD 1.65 bn in FX, while the remainder was received in EGP. The breakdown:

ADQ to the rescue: Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ acquired 25-30% stakes in Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (Ethydco), Egyptian Linear Alkyl Benzene (Elab), and Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC) for USD 800 mn;
A group of Talaat Moustafa Group subsidiary Icon Investments together with unnamed foreign investors invested USD 700 mn in a government holding company for hotels via a capital increase, handing them a 37% stake;
And the government divested its entire 31% stake in Ezz Steel subsidiary Al Ezz Dekheila for USD 241 mn in a move that will lead to the company delisting from the EGX.

What’s next? We’re now on the lookout for additional transaction announcements from the government worth an additional USD 1 bn. Upcoming transactions will likely be seeing Gabal El Zeit wind farm sold to Actis, according to our sources. Military-owned Wataniya, a Siemens power plant and several water desalination plants are also in the pipeline, along with El Mostakbal Urban Development (Midar), in which the Sovereign Fund of Egypt is set to be offering a 25-30% stake to a strategic investor after recently adding the company to its pre-IPO fund.

IPO WATCH-

#1- Taqa Arabia had an eventful EGX debut: Taqa Arabia made a successful (second) EGXdebut on Tuesday that saw the company’s shares close at EGP 20.00 a share — some 125% higher than the EGP 8.90 price at which shares were valued ahead of the listing — with trading during the day worth a combined EGP 15.7 mn.

Taqa Arabia’s first attempt at an EGX debut earlier in the week got off to a chaotic start as its shares closed up more than 83,000%, reportedly on the back of several trades that were executed at between EGP 380 and EGP 500, triggering the surge in the company’s share price. The EGX eventually canceled all of the day’s transactions in Taqa shares (except for a single transaction involving the sale of EGP 3.7 bn worth of shares by the company’s largest shareholder) and to offer the company another go.

ON THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT-

The House of Representatives got busy in the final sessions before its summer recess. Highlights included:

MPs gave their final approvalon two key pieces of legislation that aim to level the playing field for the private sector and attract more foreign investment, including amendments to the Investment Act that expand the incentives made available to private sector companies, and a bill that will eliminate tax exemptions currently granted to state-owned entities. They also gave their final approval on two bills allowing for the USD 565 mn redevelopment of the East Port Said port.

Head to our recap for more on the key bills the House passed since last October.

The FRA came out with long-called for updated regulations (pdf) to the Fintech Act that flesh out licensing requirements for fintech providers looking to get licensed by the regulator. The regulations clarify the requirements of licensing and standardize them to replace the previous system, where licenses were assessed on a case-by-case basis. They also provide further protections for consumers. Look for more in-depth coverage from us on this on Sunday.

ON THE MACRO FRONT-

#1- Inflation hit record high in June: Inflation accelerated in June, with annual urban inflation reaching 35.7% y-o-y during the month, up from 32.7% in May. Behind the uptick is successive currency devaluations combined with higher seasonal demand that has sent food prices soaring.

#2- A first look at FY 2022-2023 economic performance: The country’s budget deficit came in lower than expected, widening to 6.2% by the end of the fiscal year 2022-2023, up from 6.1% a year before. The Finance Ministry had been expecting the deficit to come in at 6.4%. Meanwhile, our primary surplus came in higher than expected at 1.6% (EGP 157 bn) during the fiscal year, up from 1.3% a year earlier. The government had been expecting the primary surplus to inch up to 1.5% in FY 2022-2023.

#3- The Madbouly government is looking to secure some USD 3 bn in financing from bond issuances through the end of the year, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said on Tuesday.

#4- Egypt’s oil and gas exports fell more than 50%y-o-y in the first four months of 2023. Declining natural gas revenues were the biggest contributor to the dip.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

FinMin’s next subsidies’ payout is coming: The disbursement of the secondtranche of theexport subsidies will be paid out on 19-20 July as the government wraps up the sixth phase of its subsidy program. FinMin has disbursed EGP 7.5 bn to approximately 750 exporters as part of the first tranche of payouts, and the final payout is slated for 2-3 August. The ministry paid EGP 42 bn to exporters from the program’s inception back in 2019.

Beltone to wrap its capital increase: Beltone’s sizable capital increase of EGP 10 bn was 98% covered as of Tuesday, which marked the end of its first phase. 4.89 mn shares from the 5 mn offered have been already accounted for. The next stage of the capital increase began yesterday and will proceed until Monday.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

YOUR MOST CLICKED LINKS-

Taqa’s successful EGX debut this week — along with the chaotic first attempt on Monday— got a lot of attention. (Filing, pdf | Enterprise)
Tarek El Gammal, the new chief financial officer at Qalaa Holding — Taqa’s parent company — also got a lot of interest. (LinkedIn)
News of the increase in our net foreign reserves for the ninth consecutive month in June got plenty of clicks. (Statement)
Some of you also needed a refresher on amendments to the Investment Act aiming to support the private sector and boost the FDI, after the House of Representatives’ gave them their final approval last week. (Enterprise)
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly’s presser on Tuesday announcing the latest updates on the state privatization program also captured plenty of interest. (watch, runtime: 1:10:14)

ENTERPRISE IS LOOKING FOR SMART, TALENTED PEOPLE of all backgrounds to help us build some very cool new things. We offer the chance to work in a fast-paced newsroom on a broad range of topics and in a variety of formats. Our goal is simple: To create value for our growing community of >250k daily readers by telling stories that matter.

NEVER WORKED IN A NEWSROOM BEFORE? We have the Enterprise Business Writing Development Program. Whether you are a recent graduate, an industry vet, or looking to switch careers, the Enterprise Business Writing Development Program will give you the tools you need to tell the most important stories to our audience of C-suite officials, government ministers, diplomats, financiers, investors and entrepreneurs.

Not an internship program — a career: The three-month program will see full-time, paid participants take part in workshops and lectures from veteran business journalists on subject matter knowledge, while also working on constructing and filing Enterprise stories that will run on any of our publications. Those who have successfully completed the program, will then be given long-term job offers.

Apply directly to jobs@enterprisemea.com and mention “writing development program” in your subject line!

AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

Resistance towards Ukraine’s NATO membership dominated international headlines during the week. As member states met in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukraine was handed an invitation in the form of a speech, instead of a full membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted in frustration to the delay and to no timeline being shared. Nevertheless, Kyiv acquired security assurances from the US and other allies as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues.

It was a better turnout for Sweden, which finally gotTurkey’s blessing to join the alliance.

ALSO GETTING ATTENTION- Meta’s Twitter lookalike Threads took the world by storm, accumulating over 100 mn sign ups as of Tuesday, in just five days after its launch. This makes it the fastest online platform to hit that record.

AND- Fears over Sudan’s ongoing conflict continued: The UN shared concerns that the situation in the African nation is deteriorating at an exponential rate as fighting grew in Khartoum. The clashes between Al Burhan and Hemedti was cited as a threat to the stability of the region.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The Enterprise Finance Forum is taking place on 18-19 September at the St. Regis Hotel in Cairo. This flagship forum is the latest in our must-attend series of invitation-only, C-suite-level gatherings that allow senior members of our community to openly and frankly discuss critical issues in key sectors of the economy.

Day one is our Banking Forum, where we’ll dive deep into topics of interest to commercial and investment bankers, from an outlook on the 12 months to come in M&A, IPO, and debt capital markets to the national, regional, and global trends that are (re)shaping our industry.

Day two is all about Fintech and Non-Banking Financial Services. We’ll take a deep dive into everything from the magic of client acquisition to the prospects of consolidation and the coming of challenger banks.

** NEW: MORE NETWORKING TIME- Our agenda includes expanded networking time, including an expanded coffee break and a post-event networking room for you to interact with your peers and speak one-on-one with the team at Enterprise.

TAP OR CLICK HERE if you want to express interest in attending. We’ll be sending out the first batch of invitations soon.

Do you want to become a commercial partner? Ping a note to Moustafa Taalab, our head of commercial or fill out this form and we’ll be in touch.

HAPPENING TODAY-

Amr Diab is coming to Sahel (again): When the light fades and the sun goes down, head to SOL Beach Bar at Marassi to attend Amr Diab’s sunset party. The party will begin at 7pm. Tickets are available on TicketsMarche.

Mahmoud Saad will host movie star Karim AbdelAziz in a new installation of the SoldOutlive interviews series at 8:30pm. The live interview will be held at Ewart Hall at AUC’s Tahrir campus. You can book your ticket from Tazkarti.

If you are in Cairo this weekend, catch the play Charlietonight at 9pm at the Movenpick Media City in Cairo. You can get your tickets on Ticketsmarche.

Get your shaabi on with Abdel Baset Hamouda, who will be performing at the ElSawy Culturewheel tomorrow starting from 8pm and finishing off at 10pm. Put on your dancing shoes and get your ticket here.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

Start your weekend with Muslim’s concert next Thursday. The concert starts at 8pm and finishes at 10pm at ElSawy Culturewheel, and tickets are available on their website.

Sharmoofers, Shaheen and El Walili x Alexandria:Sharmoofers will be on stage with the rap star Shaheen and the music producer El Waili at Al Ittihad Alex Club, Smoha branch next Thursday, 20 July. Doors will open at 4pm. Get your tickets through TicketsMall today.

Get ready for the New Alamein Festival 2023: Tamer Hosny will be performing as a part of the El Alamein Festival’s first concert at El Alamein Arena on Friday, 21 July at 8pm. You can book your tickets today on Tazkarti.

Check out our full Enterprise Entertainment calendar below for a comprehensive listing of upcoming events and national holidays.

Hotels and daycares in Cairo and Sahel for your furry friends

Where to leave your furry companions in Egypt when traveling: It’s Sahel and travel season, which means pet owners are facing the familiar dilemma of what to do with their furry friends while they’re away. While there’s plenty of kennels and pet hotels scattered across Egypt, it’s understandable why you would be hesitant to leave responsibility for your pet to a perfect stranger — which is why we’ve made some extensive research and talked to our fellow pet owner friends to find the most highly rated ones that offer the best facilities and services to keep your pets safe and give them a vacation of their own too.

Disclaimer: Sorry, cat moms and dads — most of this list is tailored towards dog parks and hotels. There seems to be a dearth of cat hotels in Cairo, but most cat parents we know recommend Meowgical (more on them below) — and we’ve listed a few online platforms where you can find a cat sitter.

ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN-

Eastwind is arguably the most popular pet hotel in Egypt, judging by the number of branches it has and the amount of people we’ve spoken to who have recommended it. It offers a wide range of services, including daycare and boarding, and also offers the convenience of a “pet taxi” that can pick up and drop off your beloved buddy for an additional fee, depending on how far away you are from the branch, Eastwind customers tell us. The pet hotel’s beach and park locations across Egypt also provide outdoor activities and exercise for your pets. Eastwind has locations in New Giza and Abu Rawash, and Hyde Park in New Cairo. It also has a branch in Ghazala Bay in the North Coast.

To ensure the safety of all the pups, Eastwind conducts home visits before boarding new dogs to make sure that they are trained and friendly.

THE PRICE TAG- Boarding fees depend on the size/type of the room and the breed of your dog, representatives tell us.

Breedy’s Dog Park and Hotel is another popular facility in Sheikh Zayed offering single day stays or long-term boarding. For long-term stays, you can choose between cozy small rooms, spacious large rooms, or luxurious suites. Spanning across two acres, Breedy’s provides ample space that includes a pool, an obstacle course, and regular exercise sessions. They also provide a dog taxi service, with a designated meeting point for pick-up and drop-off.

In addition to accommodation, Breedy’s offers comprehensive grooming services, including shampooing, brushing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. They also provide chemical grooming treatments that help combat ticks and fleas.

THE PRICE TAG- Boarding costs EGP 300 a night, whereas stays longer than 10 days can cost you just EGP 200 a night. The prices include two meals.

Pet Club also has you covered with boarding or daycare, except his pet hotel just happens to be where the owners live. The facility boasts a large playground where dogs can socialize and play to their heart’s content. To ensure a safe environment, all dogs must pass a temperament evaluation prior to joining the daycare program. They also do not have any closed rooms, allowing for an open and inclusive atmosphere, helping dogs with stress or loneliness.

THE PRICE TAG- The price per night (which includes dry food) is EGP 300, but you can opt to give your fur baby a gourmet freshly prepared meal for an extra EGP 50. If your pup is staying for more than seven days, they receive a complimentary shower.

Doggiverse is another boutique pet daycare and boarding service that comes highly recommended from Sheikh Zayed residents. This facility helps dogs socialize with others, allowing them to play — while supervised — in the facility’s pool, and giving them ample room to just run around and be dogs. They also provide a dog pick-up and drop-off service for an additional fee, depending on your location, representatives tell us.

THE PRICE TAG- Boarding costs EGP 380 per day, with an extra EGP 70 added if they will feed your dog. Daycare hours are from 9am-7pm, and a full day will set you back EGP 250. Drop-off services are on the pricey side, with some EGP 250 to pick up your dog.

ON THE EAST SIDE-

A popular choice for Sahel-bound folks: Mazen’s Resort, located in Ahmed Orabi Compound in Obour, with a location in Hacienda Bay’s Lakeyard in Sahel during the summer month, offers boarding services as well as behavior and obedience training. Their trainers focus on teaching essential commands, and socializing dogs with others. They also provide leash training to ensure your dog’s safety and well-being during walks. Their daycare program features a splash pool for dogs to cool off and enjoy some aquatic fun, while the place also offers 24/7 vet care services.

BONUS POINTS: For busy pet owners, Mazen’s Resort offers a convenient dog walking service.

THE PRICE TAG- Daycare rates are per hour, and depend on the duration of your stay and whether you choose to keep your buddy in a standard, VIP (or in this case, VID), premium, deluxe, or deluxe VI rooms. One to three nights range from EGP 250 to EGP 400 per night, and the price goes down to EGP 175 to EGP 325 a night if you’re staying longer. VID rooms come with a terrace overlooking the garden, while premium and deluxe rooms with AC to keep your pups cool.

THE SAHEL PRICE TAG- You can subscribe to the six-hour half-day package for EGP 400, or the 12-hour full-day package for EGP 600. If your pup is spending the night, you can choose between three rooms for medium and large breeds: standard, lounge, and AC premium. These range from EGP 450 per night to EGP 800. Small breeds can stay in the AC deluxe mini for EGP 700 a night or the AC deluxe lounge for EGP 800 per night.

WE HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN ABOUT OUR FELINE COMPANIONS-Meowgical Nights LuxuryCatHotel is an exceptionally highly-rated establishment located in Maadi offering a unique concept in pet boarding by providing private rooms for cats on vacation, resembling a luxurious hotel experience. Whether you prefer a single room, a double room for family pairs, or a spacious family room for larger groups of cats, Meowgical Nights accommodates them all. To ensure the safety and well-being of all guests, this facility requires that all cats are fully vaccinated and neutered.

The distinguishing feature of this hotel is the absence of cages or general rooms, emphasizing individualized comfort and privacy for each feline guest. Meowgical Nights offers both basic and all-inclusive package options, as well as a drop-off service, making the process of bringing your cat to the hotel without any hassle.

THE PRICE TAG- Prices vary per season and per package, but the longer you board your pet, the better the rate will be, hotel owner Anna Louise told us. A refundable fee of EGP 1k per cat is required at check-in. Prices you can expect this summer are EGP 250 per day, EGP 1.5k per week, and EGP 5.2k per month, according to the owner.

IS YOUR LITTLE FUZZBALL MORE OF A HOMEBODY? The alternative to having your pet stay at a hotel is hiring a sitter. One advantage to this is it helps maintain your pet’s familiar environment and routine, while a pet sitter also provides personalized attention and one-on-one care for your pet.

Where to find petsitters: Trusted Housesitters operates on a subscription-based model, for EGP 2,599 a year. The subscription allows you to request a sitter as many times as you’d like, receive home and content ins., and around-the-clock vet line advice if needed. The sitters themselves don’t receive any payment — they just ask for room and board. The service also conducts background and ID checks on their sitters before verifying them, and you can see how other clients have rated the sitters on their profiles. PetBacker is another similar platform, which also allows you to hire a dog walker or groomer, but doesn’t require you to pay an annual fee. Instead, each sitter has their own rates on their profiles, and you can choose the one suitable for you.

The first good Egyptian Eid film we’ve seen in a while + Lebanese with a twist at Arkan

📽 AT THE MOVIES-

Ethan Hunt is back, and he’s tired. But Tom Cruise isn’t. If you’ve been to the movies these past couple of months, you will have definitely seen this behind-the-scenes clip (watch, runtime: 9:22) of Cruise’s death-defying motorbike jump off a 609.6m Norwegian cliff. In true Tom Cruise fashion, the 61-year-old performs this stunt himself as cast and crew look on in fear and anticipation, holding their breath until his parachute billows out. Then he did it five more times.

The big bad of the seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible series isn’t a person, it’s artificial intelligence. While technology has been on the side of Ethan Hunt’s team for the past 27 years, in Dead Reckoning they are finally forced to confront the Entity, a sentient and self-governing AI whose goals aren’t entirely clear, but can be even more dangerous in the wrong hands. Hunt and his team, including Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg as Luther and Benji, race to find a way to destroy an enemy that exists everywhere and nowhere before it falls under the control of interested parties.

The familiar cast is joined by Hayley Atwell as Grace, a pickpocket for hire who finds herself in the middle of a fight for global domination. Atwell and Cruise’s chemistry as a team feels seamless, and surprisingly, there are no romantic undertones to their relationship (yet). Mostly, Hunt is just tired. Tired of losing friends, tired of the constant fight for the greater good, and tired of being shot at. The humanization of Hunt helps both the comedy and the drama land in ways it couldn’t before, making Dead Reckoning a more genuine installation that’s easier for the audience to connect with.

WHERE TO WATCH- Catch the first part of the Mission: Impossible finale at VOX Cinemas in City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Citystars, and Cairo Festival City.

A social media cautionary tale, packaged in a heartwarming family drama: Beit El Ruby, directed by Peter Mimi — of El Ekhteyar fame — follows the Ruby family, led by Karim Abdel Aziz as Ibrahim, and Nour as his wife, Iman, who together decide to take their two children away from the fast-paced life of Cairo to an isolated, beachside village that seems to be located by the Red Sea. Driven away by what we learn was a career-ending crisis faced by Iman following an event that was blown out of proportion on social media, the film proceeds to take us through the family’s life as it struggles with feigning a sense of normality away from their previous life, friends and family.

The entry of Ibrahim’s brother turns the film into a lighter, more hopeful story: Ihab, played by the hilariously charismatic Karim Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, and his wife, played by Tara Emad, join the picture when Ihab tries to get Ibrahim to join him on a trip to Cairo. The adventures of a family used to the peace and quiet of the desert — and not the chaotic traffic, weddings and streets of Cairo — trigger comic moments as well as some serious food for thought about the pros and cons of city life. While often leaning too much into the “dangers of social media,” the film ultimately sends out a hopeful message that neither social media — nor life at large — should be taken too seriously. You can watch the trailer here (watch, runtime: 2:23).

WHERE TO WATCH- You can find Beit El Ruby at VOX Cinemas in City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Citystars, and Cairo Festival City.

📚 FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

An action-packed thriller following a detective + police officer battling with their demons: Red Queen, written by Spanish author Juan Gomez-Jurado, follows detective Antonia Scott, who is riddled with guilt because she thinks she is responsible for her husband’s coma. Meanwhile, police officer Jon Gutierrez is facing charges for taking justice into his own hands and planting evidence to convict a criminal. Together, they must solve a high-stakes mystery— the gruesome murder of a young boy from a wealthy family who has been drained of his blood.

The novel constantly keeps you on your toes, questioning whether this unforeseen partnership could be successful or if the shadows that follow them will ultimately be too powerful. The chilling, fast-paced novel has taken the world by storm and is an international bestseller that has been made into a TV series available on Amazon Prime.

WHERE TO FIND IT- The book, the first of a trilogy, is available in Diwan for EGP 1,140. The paperback is available for USD 19 at Amazon.

🍴 HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Maze Rooftop Restaurant comes from the talents behind Casa Talia. Whether you go as a couple, family, business lunch or dinner this new Levantine restaurant in Arkan’s second floor (across from Cima) will impress. No detail is spared — the dishes, the sprawling flora on the walls, light curtains and cool marble tables down to the snug sofa chairs, are all tastefully selected and fuse together for an environment that is aesthetically appealing to all the senses.

Order the traditional dishes with a twist: The Halloumi Black Honey Poppers offer a classic appetizer with an Egyptian touch — the salty cheese is encrusted with a thin, crispy batter and coated with a proportionally perfect amount of black molasses honey. The Schnitzel Biftek was a gastronomic pleasure — it’s an affair of pan fried breaded beef tenderloin, battered to a thickness that offers more bite, and slathered with a generous amount of lemon butter sauce. The pasta side also features fresh ingredients in the sauce that are smoked and slow cooked to give an outstanding depth of flavor.

Don’t miss Oh Liban: This restaurant-recommended dessert is an XL-sized scoop of eshta ice-cream covered in a pistachio mafroukeh (semolina dough) on a bed of roseberry sauce and rose-infused pavlova crackers, giving the palate a selection of sweet crunches and tarty juiciness.

💵 Per person: EGP 800-1k

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🚬Smoking/Shisha: Yes

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

Hades: A roguelike game for all Greek myth fans

Supergiant Games gives fans of Greek mythology the chance to plunge into thedepths of Hades: InHades, a first-person roguelike game, players assume the role of Zagreus, the rebellious prince of the Underworld, who is on a quest to escape his father’s realm and reach the surface to learn the truth about his mother. What better way to do that than by battling your way through hordes of mythical creatures and challenging bosses with the occasional help from Olympian gods?

What sets Hades apart from other roguelikes is its narrative structure. A deeply compellingstory is woven throughout the gameplay, steadily revealing intricate relationships between gods, mortals, and all the different denizens of the Underworld. Players come across a cast of characters with distinct personalities and motives. It’s up to you to decide how you want your relationship to progress, if at all, as you gradually uncover the rich tapestry of Greek lore. Each playthrough presents a fresh combination of enemies and abilities, keeping you on your toes and forcing you to adapt to your environment.

Hades has received critical acclaim for its hand-drawn artwork and musical score, both of which create a vibrant and immersive experience that brings the ancient Greek world to life. It seamlessly combines intense action, challenging gameplay, and a rich storytelling experience that appeals to fans of roguelikes as well as players seeking a captivating mythological adventure.

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 52.5 hours for main objectives, 158 for 100% completion

💵 Price: USD 24.99

👾 Platforms:Steam, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and Xbox.

A deep dive into culinary cultures (and a visual masterpiece)

Chef’s Table is a feast for the senses: This Netflix original is a critically acclaimed series that offers viewers a visually stunning exploration of the culinary world. The documentary series — which ran for six seasons — takes an in-depth look into the lives and work of renowned chefs from around the globe, such as Massimo Bottura, Rosalia Chay Chuc, and Alex Atala, investigating their unique culinary philosophies and creative processes. We look at their carefully selected ingredients, intricate plating techniques, and a generational wealth of recipes which form these extraordinary culinary experiences.

Food history is human history. Each dish is rooted in culture and steeped in tradition, and behind its conception is usually a compelling story. Chef’s Table takes you on a journey to discover the cultural significance of food through exceptional cinematography that captures the craftsmanship of each dish. The show’s narrative structure allows for a deep dive into the backgrounds and inspirations of the featured chefs. Viewers gain insights into their journeys, including the challenges they’ve faced, their culinary influences, and the impact they’ve had on the culinary world.

While the show’s slow-paced and contemplative approach may not suit those seeking fast-paced entertainment, the show does an excellent job of highlighting diverse cuisines and culinary traditions from various cultures. It provides a global perspective, introducing viewers to lesser-known culinary gems and showcasing the cultural significance of food in different parts of the world.

WHERE TO WATCH- All sixvolumes of Chef’s Table are available on Netflix.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

JULY

6 July-15 (Thursday-Saturday): Dawayer Cultural Festival, Cinema Radio, Downtown, Cairo.

14 July (Friday): Amr Diab Sunset Party, SOL Beach Bar, Marassi, North Coast.

14 July (Friday): SoldOut live interviews, Ewart Hall, The American University in Cairo (AUC), Tahrir.

14 July (Friday): Charlie, Movenpick Media City, Cairo.

15 July (Saturday): Abdel Baset Hamouda concert, ElSawy Culturewheel, Zamalek, Cairo.

18 July (Tuesday): Islamic New Year.

18 July (Tuesday): Islamic New Year festival, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek, Cairo.

19 July-23 July (Wednesday-Sunday): Egypt Summer Festival, Heliopolis.

20 July (Thursday): Muslim’s musical concert, ElSawy Culturewheel, Zamalek, Cairo.

20 July (Thursday): Sharmoofers, Shaheen and El Waily concert, Al-Ittihad Alex Club, Smouha, Alexandria.

20 July (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Islamic New Year (TBC).

21 July (Friday): Tamer Hosny Concert, New Alamein Festival 2023, Al Alamein Arena, North Coast.

23 July (Sunday): Revolution Day.

26 July (Wednesday): Massar Egbari concert, Cairo Jazz Club 610, Sheikh Zayed, Cairo.

27 July (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Revolution Day (TBC).

27 July (Thursday): Samar Tarek’s concert, ElSawy Culturewheel, Zamalek, Cairo.

27 July (Thursday): Cairokee mega-concert, Manara Arena, New Cairo.

28 July (Thursday): Travis Scott at the Pyramids, Giza Pyramids.

28 July (Friday):Ali Qandil’s stand up comedy show, ElSawy Culturewheel, Zamalek, Cairo.

28 July (Friday): Route Tech Summit 2023, Greek Campus, Tahrir, Cairo.

29 July (Saturday): Cairokee mega-concert, Manara Arena, New Cairo.

AUGUST

2 August-3 August (Wednesday-Thursday): Fintech Revolution Summit, Cairo Festival City.

3 August (Thursday): Massar Egbari concert, Library of Alexandria.

13 August-19 (Sunday-Saturday): El Sawy Culturalwheel bookfair, ElSawy Culturewheel, Zamalek, Cairo.

12 August (Saturday): Massar Egbari concert, El Sawy Culturalwheel, Sheikh Zayed, Cairo.

25 August (Friday): Russ Concert, New Alamein Festival 2023, North Coast.

SEPTEMBER

26 September (Tuesday): Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

28 September (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

OCTOBER

6 October (Friday): Armed Forces Day.

13 October- 20 October (Friday-Friday): El Gouna Film Festival (GFF).

NOVEMBER

15-24 November (Wednesday-Friday): Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF).

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2023: The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

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